The fire on Dunwich Heath is still being classed as a "major incident" with 20 fire engines and a helicopter tackling the fire before it gets dark, officials have said.

However, things appear to be moving in a positive direction, with conditions, “currently improving and planning for the recovery phase has begun," Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said.

The fire has scorched an area equivalent to the size of about 200 football pitches with holidaymakers evacuated from campsites and caravan park guests briefly allowed to return today to collect belongings under police escort.

The National Trust launched an emergency appeal to help restore the devastated habitat on the heath, and called on the government to ensure "immediate access" to air support for fire crews after the charity helped mobilise a helicopter to drop water on the flames.

There have been no reports of injuries and no properties have been lost. Firefighters expect to remain at the scene until Monday at the earliest.

This concludes our live coverage of the event.

An aerial view taken with a drone shows smoke rising from wildfires near holiday cabins in Dunwich Heath(Image: TOLGA AKMEN/EPA/Shutterstock)

Drone shots show scenes of devastation as efforts continue to quench the flames at Dunwich Heath.

As many as 20 fire engines and a helicopter are batting to bring the fire under control before nightfall, with flames just kept from consuming a row of historic Coastguard Cottages.

The fire and the beach(Image: TOLGA AKMEN/EPA/Shutterstock)

An aerial view shows smoke rising from wildfires near Dunwich Heath(Image: TOLGA AKMEN/EPA/Shutterstock)

Burnt-out heath land in front of Coastguard Cottages(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Officials said 20 fire engines and a helicopter dropping water are now “aggressively” tackling the fire before it gets dark.

Officials say they intend to permanently close the rest centre at Westleton Village Hall later tonight.

It is believed everyone who was evacuated while on holiday has now left after retrieving their belongings this afternoon and permanent residents have been accommodated in the area.

A helicopter is being used to fight the flames(Image: Suffolk County Council)

A spokesperson said: "Crews remain at the scene, but thanks to intensive firefighting efforts, support from the helicopter, and the creation of fire breaks, an earlier identified risk to buildings around the Coastguard Cottages area has stabilised. Importantly, no properties have been lost.

"The helicopter is continuing to tackle hotspots in areas that are difficult to reach, while work has been underway to help evacuated holiday park residents safely collect vehicles and essential belongings through a phased process and police-led convoys.

"There have been no reported casualties or injuries to members of the public or emergency responders.

"The smoke plume has changed direction during the day. Health advice remains unchanged: if you are affected by smoke, please keep windows and doors closed. While the incident remains significant and resource intensive - and is still classified as a Major Incident for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service and Suffolk Resilience Forum partners - conditions are currently improving and planning for the recovery phase has begun.

"Firefighters and partner agencies will continue to monitor the weather and situation closely over the coming days. Thank you to everyone affected for your patience and cooperation."

The fire has destroyed large swathes of countryside(Image: Humphrey Nemar/ daily mirror)

Dave Johnson, 67, a retired IT technician, and his wife Jen, 55, an artist, own two lodges at Cliff House holiday park.

The couple drove in convoy, escorted by the police, to pick up their essentials from their lodge.

Dave said: “It looked better than I expected, although there’s still fires breaking out. We didn’t go as far as where most of the destruction is so you get the false impression it’s probably better than it is.

“From what we could see, [Cliff House] it’s alright at the moment, but there’s talk of the fires still.”

David Knapp, 59, and his wife Alison, 59, from Herne Bay, were escorted by police to retrieve their motorhome.

He said: “When you’re driving down, there’s no sign of fire. There’s no smoke, nothing. Its totally clear. You pull in the campsite and its absolutely deserted, all you see is empty tents. There’s no people.

“The motorhome stinks of fire. The window was slightly open and the vent was open so it stinks of smoke. I was going to change my clothes, put a new top on, but what's the point.”

Evacuated tents at a campsite near the fire(Image: Humphrey Nemar/ daily mirror)

The National Trust has announced it is launching an emergency fundraising appeal after the fire ripped through the Dunwich Heath reserve, leaving it “unrecognisable”.

The charity said the heath is an important area for specialist wildlife such as nightjars, skylarks and the rare Dartford warbler, as well as adders, lizards and slow-worms, and butterflies including the rare silver-studded blue.

Director general Hilary McGrady says: "We’ve lost precious habitats, wildlife, trees, and a place where people have made memories over generations. It’s heartbreaking."

The lowland heath habitat found at the reserve is one of the UK’s rarest, with an estimated 92% of it lost in England over the last 120 years, it added.

The site of the Suffolk wildfire(Image: Humphrey Nemar/ daily mirror)

Evacuated Suffolk residents and holidaymakers will have a “small window of opportunity” to collect some of their belongings on Friday afternoon, officials said.

Those who have been forced to flee by the large wildfire will be taken in a minibus to collect their things in a 15-minute window under police escort.

Peter Langford, the emergency planning officer for Suffolk County Council, told evacuated residents and holidaymakers they will be able to collect “essential” items.

Mr Langford said during a meeting at Westleton Village Hall, which has been used as a rest centre: “We have a very small window of opportunity to go in and pick up personal possessions, essential ones only, (such as) medication, and bring cars out.

“It is still a fast moving situation, as it is, from the fire perspective. It is still an unstable situation.”

He added: “Don’t put anybody else’s life at risk because when you get there, police are going to be escorting you and they’re going to wait and escort you out.”

Some hopeful news coming from Colchester this afternoon as the fire response there has now been scaled down.

Around 40 firefighters are now at the scene, down from more than 50 who were sent there when the fire started.

In its latest update, Essex Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters continue to make good progress at the scene and are now focusing on extinguishing the remaining hotspots across the affected area.

"As the incident has become more contained, we have reduced the number of firefighters at the scene to around 40.

"Crews will remain in attendance for as long as necessary to fully extinguish the fire and make the area safe.

"Thank you to the local community for your continued patience and support."

Firefighters at the scene at Middlewick Ranges in Colchester(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has just announced that a helicopter will be deployed to Dunwich Heath again, dropping 1,000 litres of seawater at a time.

The fire service said: "This additional support from the air helps us to reach those areas of heathland and forest where access is incredibly difficult on foot or by vehicle.

"Again, we thank all services who are providing resources to support the firefighting efforts, as the situation continues to stabilise."

The inciden "remains dynamic and potentially changeable" and a number of roads and footpaths in the area will stay closed until at least Monday.

The helicopter carries 1,000 litres of water at a time(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Councillor Tristan Gale, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member with responsibility for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said that while a significant firefighting operation remains underway, progress is being made.

He said: "I am pleased that, with favourable weather conditions and the tireless work of firefighters and partner organisations, the situation is now in a more stable and manageable position.

"While there remains a significant operation underway, progress is being made. [...]

"This fire has had a devastating impact on an area of Suffolk's countryside that is treasured by residents and visitors alike, including valuable heathland and wildlife habitat.

"It is deeply upsetting to see such significant environmental damage."

The fire has had a devastating impact on the area(Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

Residents and holidaymakers are now preparing to briefly be escorted to their properties and vehicles, including motorhomes and touring caravans, at Cliff House camp site and Dunwich Cliff camp site, Mirror's Patrick Hill reports from the scene in Dunwich.

They will be taken into both camp sites on a minibus in a convoy escorted by police. They will then be given 15 minutes to collect their belongings before being escorted out again.

At a 1.30pm briefing for evacuees, Peter Langford, emergency planning officer for Suffolk County Council, said: "The news you've all been waiting for that is that we have a very small window of opportunity to go in and pick up personal possessions, essentials, medication, and bring cars out.

"It is still a fast moving situation. From the fire perspective, it is still an unstable situation.

"In fact, they've increased a number of pumps back there and they're just about to bring in the helicopter as well. So we have a very small window of opportunity."

He added: "You're going to get about 15 minutes when you get there. Can I ask, please, obviously, you don't put anybody else's life at risk because when you get there, the police are going to be escorting you, and then they're gonna wait and escort you out.

"So you will go pick up your possessions and get your car and then come back. Once we've done the first run, we'll then do the second run, but it is a very small window of opportunity to do it."

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service's Deputy Chief Fire Officer Henry Griffin (L) and Suffolk County Council's District Emergency Planning Officer Peter Langford, update residents(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Wildfires are ripping across land from the Atlantic coast to the eastern Mediterranean fuelled by an extremely hot summer.

Greece, France, Spain and Turkey are all battling some of the worst blazes which have led to major evacuations.

Approximately 18,200 acres of land has now been burned by the multiple fires that broke out in southern Rethymno, Crete. Fire crews having been focusing on the Agia Paraskevi front, while a new fire broke out in Asomatos. The fire has spread to the Kourtaliotiko Gorge and burned part of the palm groves in Preveli.

New wildfires have also broken out in Achaia, in the northwestern Peloponnese, and in the Xiromero area of Aetolia-Acarnania, a region in western Greece.

You can follow our live updates on the fires across Europe here.

A wildfire burns through trees in the Fichtia area of Argolida in the Peloponnese region, Greece(Image: BOUGIOTIS EVANGELOS/EPA/Shutterstock)

A hosepipe ban has been rolled out by Essex and Suffolk Water with much of the country facing drought and bone dry vegetation leading to wildfire.

The UK has endured its fourth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures topping 35C, as health authorities have also warned England is on track this year for the highest number of deaths caused by such hot spells since current figures began.

Half of England is officially in drought, despite a very wet winter, as an extremely dry July compounded a dry spring, and the successive heatwaves have put pressure on water resources.

The fire in Colchester also remains ongoing as people are still asked to avoid the area.

Area manager Dave Bond, of Essex Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Anyone in the area will have seen the significant amount of smoke coming from the fire at Middlewick Rangers, and we know many local residents have concerns.

"Firefighters have now surrounded it and are continuing to apply water to bring it under control.

"We're asking anyonein the affected area to keep their doors and windows closed as a precaution."

Mr Bond added that there are still about 50 firefighters at the scene, assisted by local farmers who have provided water bowsers.

Below is a full video account of Charlotte Du Cann's attempts to extinguish the fire at Dunwich Heath right after it started on Wednesday.

Asked what she believes the government should be doing now, Ms Coffey said: "I think the Prime Minister was right to offer resources straight away. It was good to hear there was no messing about with regards to that and indeed we know that fire services have come from right across the country in order to help.

"Clearly this issue of wildfires around the country needs a careful investigation I think into is it that recent policies have started to make that more, obviously climate change is a factor, but let's see what we can do to install firebreaks proactively in the future recognising if we're going to have these very hot summers for a long time."

Ms Coffey added: "To some extent we were fortunate being by the coast. I think that's massively helped in terms of access to water there.

"I think with Essex and Suffolk Water, they did increase the reservoir by about 50 per cent further down the coast, but nevertheless if we can do more to get on with reserviors being available that will help not only to stop hosepipe bans, but also be ready sources of water to tackle issues like this.

"What's been nice to see on the TV is people who have opened up their homes and the spirit of the community I enjoyed being part of here in Westleton when I was first elected.

"It's great to see that in action in such a sad circumstance, but just shows how the community came together to help others."

Former Deputy Prime Minister Therese Coffey, who is now in the House of Lords, briefly turned up at Westleton Village Hall this afternoon after telling reporters she was just walking past. She previously rented a home in the village.

She said: "This very special heathland has been desecrated. It's clearly worrying to see such wonderful wildlife being damaged and the force of nature taking it.

"But huge credit to Suffolk Fire and Rescue and indeed other people who have come to support that and also praise to the council for getting involved with the local community.

"It was really important to get people out - smoke consumption can really be fatal or it can actually just have long-life health issues so good actions to get people out.

"Clearly, looking into the reasons why this happened, but the ongoing repairs will in effect probably take a decade at least, so there's a lot to do here in Suffolk for the future, both reflecting on how wonderful the community were, but also the future of nature here."

Speaking about the emergency response, Ms Du Cann added: "They did come pretty quickly, I have to say. But it was quite a way in you see.

"It wasn't just by the road, it's down a path both sides from Dunwich Heath and Westleton. You've got a good walk in.

"It was around 5pm. It's just devastating and absolutely heartbreaking. I love that place and I write about it and encourage people to connect with nature there. It's like a bomb site.

"I wasn't afraid because I knew that I would get out. I knew the land. I was pretty stunned afterwards.

"It escalated fast, within minutes. It was quite low with the heather, but it was furious. It was really hot with the heather because it's tinder."

Asked if she saw how the fire started, Ms Ducann, who lives in the nearby village of Eastbridge, said: "No, I didn't see any evidence.

"People are saying it's human induced, but we don't know. There was nobody else there, we didn't see anyone, didn't see a cigarette butt, camping equipment or anything or a bbq, nothing.

"I come here all the time. It wasn't by the path, it was away, not somewhere somebody would casually smoke a cigarette."

The aftermath of the fire, which is still burning(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Mirror correspondent Patrick Hill is at the scene in Dunwich Heath and reports...

Local resident Charlotte Du Cann, 70, witnessed the fire start and tried to stamp it out with a friend before calling 999.

The writer and editor said she and a friend were alerted to the fire after hearing the crackle of the blaze and smelling smoke near a kissing gate in Minsmere woods.

She told the Mirror: "I heard it first. I heard this crackle while walking back from swimming with my friend. I thought 'that sounds like fire'. I looked down and my friend said 'I can smell smoke'.

"We looked down and saw smoke coming from a place. We didn't see any flames at that point. We went down and saw this circle on fire, maybe 20ft across. We tried to stamp it out, but it didn't work.

"We didn't have enough force. We didn't have any firebeaters. I think if we'd had firebeaters we might have had a better chance.

"We were trying to stamp it out for a few minutes but then it just caught the heather, umph, up it went, it hit the Scots pine and just got out of hand. It went up like a torch and the noise of it was horrible."

• A new wildfire started this morning, this time at Middlewick Ranges on Mersea Road, Cokchester. More than 50 firefighters were at the scene around 11am, Essex Fire and Rescue Service said.
• People were asked to avoid the area in order to allow space for fire engines to be parked on roads surrounding the park and access to water hydrants. A picture posted by the fire service shows thick white and grey smoke rising from the scene of the fire, which is located about 50 miles away from the blaze at Dunwich Heath.
• At 11.45am, the fire was "surrounded", the fire service said in an update. A statement reads: "Firefighters are working well extinguishing the fire. Please continue to avoid the area to help us keep it safe."
• Halsted Gazette reports people were moved back from the scene, with officers telling them that "the fire is spreading quickly".
• Various road closures are in place, including Mersea Road and Abbots Road, Essex Traffic said.

The fire at Dunwich Hill remains "changeable", Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said, but crews "are making good progress".

The blaze is tackled from both the ground and the air and the situation is "currently stable", the fire service said at 11am.

A major incident remains in place, however, and people are still urged to stay away from the area. Between 12 and 15 fire engines are at the scene this morning.

The fire service said: "We expect the response to continue through the weekend and possibly into next week.

"If this progress continues, we expect to be able to gradually reduce the number of resources at the scene.

"As mentioned in our earlier update, fire and rescue assets from across the country are supporting the response, and additional resources are ready to be called upon if needed.

"Roads and footpaths in the area remain closed until further notice."

The force added that there are no plans to evacuate any more people at this stage and there continues to be no cause for concern regarding the Sizewell B nuclear power plant.

Scorched burnt-out heath land in front of Coastguard Cottages with Sizewell B power station in the background(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Officials have said winds are currently pushing the fire south, from a north, north westerly direction, away from Sizewell nuclear plant and towards the coast.

They say that RSPB Minsmere, which includes marshes and other waterways, is acting as a natural fire break between the fire and the plant and added that conditions were "favourable" overnight.

Up to 15 fire appliances are now working at the scene, including off-road 4x4 vehicles provided by London Fire Brigade.

Emergency crews are using a number of measures, including quad bikes, to reach the affected areas.

Firefighters are also using water backpacks in order to get water to hard to reach areas.

Suffolk fire service deputy chief fire officer Henry Griffin said: "It carries a pump so you just pump that source where you need it.

"What they're doing is they're providing a bulldozer to make a track and then you’ve got three unimog off-road vehicles, which are incredible, that can access anywhere there and they have a water tank on them and a lance.

"We can get vehicles and access to it, we just can't get a standard fire engine to it. It's really hard work."

Sizewell B nuclear power station(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

A holidaymaker described the Dunwich Heath fire as "like something out of an apocalypse film, like the end of the world".

Connor Dowsett, 23 and from Essex, was nevacuated from his grandparents' lodge at Cliff House Holiday Park yesterday, while his dog, a shih-poo called Doug, was rescued by emergency services.

Mr Dowsett told the Press Association: "We noticed the moon… it was very orange. As we were getting closer, we could see the glow of the fire.

"We could see the brown smoke filling the air. The smell was powerful. It was like ‘wow’.

"It was like something out of an apocalypse film. Like the end of the world. It was a scary, scary sight."

Mr Dowsett added: "Our dog was obviously left in our lodge… (we) didn’t want to leave him. We were terrified. We got a member of the CID to go and pick him up."

Another wildfire has started, this time in Essex.

More than 30 firefighters are at the scene in Middlewick Ranges on Mersea Road in Colchester, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed.

The emergency services presence was announced just after 10am today and people have been urged to avoid the area.

The fire service said: "We are using a lot of the surrounding roads to park fire engines and access water hydrants.

"Please keep these areas clear. We'll bring you updates shortly."

A picture posted by the fire service shows thick white and grey smoke rising from the scene of the fire, which is located about 50 miles away from the blaze at Dunwich Heath.

Firefighters from Essex are among those who supported Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service with the forest fire in the past 24 hours.

Smoke rising from the scene in Colchester(Image: Essex County Fire and Rescue Service)

Mirror correspondent Patrick Hill is at the scene in Dunwich Heath and reports...

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service deputy chief fire officer Henry Griffin said: "I attended the scene around 5am this morning. Police report significant progress has been made upon the fire compared to yesterday.

"That's been helped by lower temperatures overnight, lower wind speeds, and obviously lower sun conditions as well.

"It remains a significant and dynamic incident. We've been working with the Met Office, looking at the wind directions to monitor and mitigate in the hotspots to prevent flare-ups and re-ignition.

"It is a challenging fire to access. We've been well supported by heavy machinery from Sizewell, local landowners, and of course, the national assets that we had in place.

"Currently we have 12 fire engines on the scene, a range of specialist equipment officers, and other assets to tackle this fire.

"My reassurance to you, the residents here, is we're working hard to get you access in and back to your homes, your property, or if you're holidaymakers, back to get your vehicles to get home. We'll keep you up to date as we can regarding that information."Obviously, our primary risk at the moment is risk to people and property. Once we have dealt with that, we can help you get back to more things."

Crews from out of area were called to support Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service(Image: Ryan Lovejoy/PA Wire)

Mirror correspondent Patrick Hill is at the scene in Dunwich Heath and reports...

Officials say they are hoping there could be "a window of opportunity" this afternoon for evacuees to return to their properties, including caravans and holiday lets to collect belongings, including vehicles.

Peter Langford, emergency planning officer for Suffolk County Council, said: "At the moment, it looks like they may well be a window of opportunity early this afternoon to allow people to go back, but it will be very carefully managed, because obviously... it is still a situation that is not totally under control.

"What we need to do now is plan for one person from your family group to be able to go back, to pick up possessions and pick up your cars."

Mr Langford said anyone allowed to briefly return to their properties will be accompanied by the emergency services.

He said: "It will be a very limited period and carefully managed. Then you will be escorted back out again."

Mr Langford said there will be another briefing for evacuees at Westleton Village Hall at 1.30pm today.

Devastating wildfires are becoming increasingly common amid the climate crisis - and our map reveals the areas most at risk.

This week, the Environment Agency declared that half of England was in drought due to soaring temperatures and very low rainfall.

Water Minister Emma Hardy has now warned people to prepare for this "new normal" wrought by climate change, as rivers run low, millions are placed under hosepipe bans - and wildfire risk increases.

A map of fire risk across the UK

Firefighters have been battling intense blazes around the UK this summer, including at Dovestone in Greater Manchester, Tintwistle Moor in Derbyshire, Cairngorms National Park in Scotland and Dunwich Heath in Suffolk.

Now, as global warming increases the risk of wildfires, we’ve used data from the Moorland Association to produce a map revealing the threat across the country.

It shows that the High Peak constituency in Derbyshire - where the major moorland fire at Tintwistle Moor has been raging - is the area at greatest risk.

Mirror correspondent Patrick Hill is at the scene in Dunwich Heath and reports...

Mr Griffin continued: "At the moment, we don't think there's been total loss to any properties. Our primary concern is life.

"There's been no injury to persons or my staff, which is fantastic. They worked incredibly hard. overnight

"The fire started on RSPB land. Currently at this point we do not know how it started. An investigation is underway.

"There has been no total loss to any building. There has been some heat damage to some buildings - scorched cladding, melted gutters, things like that.

"Based on the information I have at this point in time, there has been no total loss to any buildings, which is a remarkable feat.

"The reason we declared a major incident is because the fire was significant.

"Thanks to the collective efforts from firefighters, we avoided it getting into properties and the caravan sites."

An aerial photo shows smoke over the site of a wildfire at Dunwich Heath(Image: AFP via Getty Images)